Potomac Day Is Around The Corner

One day each fall the streets of Potomac Village are transformed into a festival of parades, rides, car shows and business booths. The annual Potomac Day festival is celebrating 30 years this Saturday.

The celebration is hosted by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce and will entertain crowds with with the traditional parade, car show, business fair, band, games and petting zoo. Last year’s event drew around 6,000 attendees, according to festival organizer Jennifer Matheson.

Planning for this year’s event has been under way for months. Here’s a rundown of what you can look forward to this year, and how to navigate the festivities:

• Line up for the Potomac Day parade begins on Chapel Road at 9:30 a.m. Road closures around River and Falls roads begin at 10 a.m. Cars should not be left in the neighborhoods. The parade will end at the Potomac Promenade & Potomac Place Shopping Centers at 11:45 a.m.

• Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and continue through 3 p.m.

• Local band Retrospect will perform from 12 – 2 p.m. under the mall entrance overhang in front of Citibank.

• A small assortment of entertainers will perform on the platform by Morgan Stanley throughout the day.  “If you have kids performing, stake out your spot early in order to watch them!” Matheson said.

• Local petting zoo Squeals on Wheels will park near Wachovia, along with children’s games including a pirate ship and a spider climb.

• Come visit Patch and our local editors! We will be located at booth 39 in the second row behind Wachovia bank.

• Children 3 and older can also celebrate Potomac Day at the library with a puppet show – an interactive, current retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." No registration required, but seating is limited. Check out the event listing here.

Will you be at Potomac Day this year? What are you most looking forward to?